Tailgate accessibility

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/191,649, filed Mar. 28, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/178,642, filed Feb. 18, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,639,201, issued May 2, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/978,089, filed Feb. 18, 2020. The disclosures of the above application applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to tailgate assemblies.

Pickup cargo bed accessability is a longstanding issue. The tailgate tends to be large and, even when rotated down to the open position, typically does not improve access to the truck bed enough or typically does not include features that improve the overall functionality of the tailgate. The truck bed access is made more difficult by the size and bulk of the tailgate and the lack of access enhancing arrangements and features. In addition, pickup truck tailgates also have little functionality. They typically mainly just provide access to the bed of the pickup truck for cargo load/load, and that is substantially all that known tailgate provide.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a tailgate system that improves access into the bed of the cargo area of pickup trucks or any vehicle with a cargo bed area, provides accessories, and increases functionality of the tailgate, thereby to improve accessibility and functionality.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tailgate assembly adapted for improved access to the cargo bed of pickup trucks and improves tailgate functionality. The present invention is directed to a multi-functional tailgate system integrating combinations of a plurality of features for increased access to the cargo bed or functionality of the tailgate. Integrated features include, but are not limited to, multi-functional tailgate, horizontal split gate, vertical split gate, accordion gate, side hinged, slidable (e.g., guides in tracks, step(s), seat(s), angled downward adapted for step surface(s), lighting source(s), power source(s), extendable gates, stability handle(s), and any other predetermined desired feature, etc., and any predetermined various combinations of features.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

is a conventional tailgateon a vehicleproviding access to the cargo bedwhen down (down position shown in). Access to the bedis hindered by the width W of the tailgate surfaceand height H of the tailgate surfacefrom the ground. For bed access from the rear of the vehicle, a user needs to reach over/past the tailgate surfaceor climb up onto the tailgateinto the bed. If the tailgate is up/closed, the user has to reach over bed sides or the top of the tailgate. There is a need for improved truck bed access.

Referring togenerally, there is provided a tailgate assembly incorporating at least one articulating tailgate door or “gate”, in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to, there is illustrated a tailgate assembly adapted to slide into the cargo bed (as indicated by the arrow in). There is depicted a tailgate assembly shown generally atincorporating at least one articulating tailgate dooror “panel”, in accordance with the present invention. In the rotated down position, the tailgate surface(interior face of the tailgate) allows a resting surface as well as access into the cargo bedof the vehicle. For improved truck bedaccess, however, the tailgateis adapted to operably slide into at least one opening(or pocket, etc) provided in the vehicle (e.g., adjacent the cargo bed surfaces, under the bottom of the cargo bed, into an open space below the cargo bed, etc).

The tailgateis illustrated slid below the floorof the cargo bed, however, it is understood that the tailgateis adaptable depending on the application to slide below or behind any predetermined surface, e.g., cargo bed side walls, cargo bed floor, or any alternative suitable location.

One dooris shown, but it is understood that at least two tailgate panels,can be provided that selectively open/close and slide either independently or together or optionally selectively connectable together, e.g., with a latch, plunger, etc., to open/close or slide together.

At least one track or any other predetermined suitable sliding device is contemplated.

Optionally, the assemblyincludes at least one locking mechanism (e.g., plunger(s) into a tab(s), plunger(s) into aperture(s), rotating tab(s), link(s), linkage assembly(ies), releasable plunger(s) in a track(s), etc.) to maintain the panelin the down position (e.g.,), that when selectively released allows said panelto be slid, is contemplated without departure from the scope of the present invention.

The panelis operably rotatably and releasably operably coupled to the vehicle adjacent the opening to rotate the tailgate to the first down/open position (e.g., incorporating hinge(s), link(s), linkage assemblies, etc. and combinations thereof).

Any other accessories and combinations thereof are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the application.

Referring now more particularly to, there is illustrated a split tailgate shown generally atwith at least a first paneland a second panelthat accordion together in a first or second direction to bring the tailgateto at least one side of the cargo bed rear opening, according to aspects of the present invention. Selectively moving the panels,in either direction is contemplated. While the accordion off to one side is illustrated as generally outward of the cargo bed, it is understood that alternatively, the doors are adapted to additionally, or alternatively, accordion inward into the cargo bed. Either panel is rotataby connected, e.g., hinged, to either substantially vertical side at the opening to the cargo bed, e.g., for left accordian door opening or right accordian door opening.

Preferably, at least one guide trackis provided on a bottom surface adjacent the cargo bed opening to operably guide the accordian doors as they collapse together off to one side substantially out of the way so that access into the cargo bed is improved. By way of non-limiting example, at least one pin, at least one roller, or any suitable guide provided on at least one door, preferably on both door bottoms,, traverses along the guide trackto accordian the doors together to the open position substantially off to one side in the footprint of the rear opening of the vehicle. Preferably, the guide trackis operably connected to or integrally formed with the opening framework or cargo bed liner.

At least one track or any other predetermined suitable sliding device, hinge(s), locations, latches etc is/are contemplated, depending on the application without departure from the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the panels,are operably hinged together to accordion. Additionally, preferably, the first or second panel,is operably hinged to the vehicle adjacent the opening. The at least one of the panelsoror both of the panels,are operably adapted to allow another opening direction, wherein the tailgate can also selectively rotate down to another open position (e.g., similar to down/open position depicted in).

Any other accessories and combinations thereof are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the application.

Referring now more particularly to, there is illustrated a tailgate shown generally atwith at least one doorthat operably extends out (as indicated by the arrow in), according to aspects of the present invention. There is provided at least one extension memberof predetermined width and length that is operably connected to the vehicle adjacent the opening into the rear cargo bed. The at least one dooris operably coupled to the at least one extension memberand operable to extend outward to extend the tailgate. At least one accessory is also provided on the tailgatefor improved functionality. At least one power source is preferably provided(e.g., 12V plug). Preferably, at least one step surfaceis also provided. At least one lighting deviceis preferably provided, more preferably, a lighting devicelocated in at least one predetermined location to illuminate a ground surface where an operator approaches the vehicle.

Optionally, the assemblyincludes at least one locking mechanism (e.g., plunger(s) into a tab(s), plunger(s) into aperture(s), rotating tab(s), link(s), linkage assembly(ies), releasable plunger(s) in a track(s), etc.) to maintain the panelin the down position (e.g.,), that when selectively released allows said panelto be extended, is contemplated without departure from the scope of the present invention.

To give improved access to the cargo bed, the tailgatelowers down, e.g., at an angle preferably, to provide the stepaccess into the cab. A predetermined release mechanism is operably provided, e.g., at least one handle, paddle latch, etc, accessed by opening an access panel. The access panelselectively serves as a stepping assist handle grabbed by an operator.

The tailgateis operably rotatably and releasably operably coupled to the vehicle adjacent the opening to rotate the tailgate to the first down/open position (e.g., incorporating hinge(s), link(s), linkage assemblies, etc. and combinations thereof).

The tailgateis operably rotatably and releasably operably coupled to the vehicle adjacent the opening to further rotate the tailgate to the second down/angled step open position (e.g., incorporating hinge(s), link(s), linkage assemblies, etc. and combinations thereof).

Any other accessories and combinations thereof are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the application.

Referring now more particularly to, there is illustrated a tailgate shown generally atincluding at least one door, according to aspects of the present invention. The tailgatetips up () to allow improved access into the cargo bed. The dooroperably traverses along at least one first pair of tracks(e.g., substantially vertical tracks operably attached to, or integrally formed with, the side walls of the cargo bedadjacent an openingto the rear of the bed). The dooralso operably traverses along at least one second pair of tracks(e.g., substantially horizontal tracks operably attached to, or integrally formed with, the side wall uppers of the cargo bedadjacent a top opening to the cargo bed. Typically, operable guides (e.g., guide rollers, guide pins, links, link assemblies, etc. and combinations thereof) are operably connected to the doorwhich operably slide along the tracks,to move the tailgate upand then substantially horizontally toward the vehicle cab out of the way to increase accessibility through the rear openinginto the cargo bed.

Any other accessories and combinations thereof are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the application.

Referring now more particularly tothere is illustrated a tailgate shown generally atwith at least two doors or “panels”, a first doorand a second door, preferably half doors, according to aspects of the present invention. At least one of the doors is moveable. The gateis split in half, e.g., in longitudinal, horizontal direction preferably, or alternatively vertically. The tailgatebeing split in half makes it easier to reach through the rear openinginto the carbo bedwhen the second gateis opened (e.g., rotated down/open). The tailgate surfaceis preferably relatively flat. It is understood that the doorcan operable selectively rotate open independently or alternatively be fixed. Alternatively, the tailgate halves,are operably selectively latchable to each other to selectively open together (e.g., drop down to orientation ofin the figure). It is contemplated that, additionally, the first dooris adopted to tip up/back (similar to).

The tailgate halveis operably rotatably and releasably operably coupled to the vehicle adjacent the openingto rotate the tailgate to the first down/open position (e.g., can incorporate guides, guide rollers, guide pins, hinge(s), link(s), linkage assemblies, etc. and combinations thereof).

The tailgatehalves,are operably selectively connected for a closed position. Optionally, adapted to operably rotate together down to a second open position (e.g., similar to the position depicted in).

Alternatively, the lower halfis operably rotatably coupled to the vehicle to rotate between open/closed positions, and the second half(e.g., upper half) is operably slidably coupled to the vehicle to slide up and out of the way, e.g., using vertical guide tracks or vertical and upper horizontal guide tracks.

Any other accessories and combinations thereof are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the application.

Referring now to, which is identical toexcept that at least one seat is provided, according to aspects of the present invention. Preferably, at least one depression is providedin the tailgate surfacethat serves as a seat for a person.

Any other accessories and combinations thereof are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the application.

Any of the aforementioned aspects of the present invention are understood to be adaptable to be combinable in any combination. Any of the aforementionedmaterials are metal, aluminum, composite, SMC, reinforced, steal, and any combinations thereof. Any of the aforementioned aspects of the present invention ofor described are understood to be adaptable to be combinable with each other and any accessories and combinations thereof are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the application. Any of the aforementioned aspects of the present invention are understood to be adaptable to incorporate at least one lift assist. Any of the aforementioned aspects of the present invention are understood to be adaptable to incorporate at least one manual, mechanical, or electrical lift assist. The tailgate assembly incorporates at least one improved accessability feature, e.g., at least one door pocket system, accordian tailgate system, tailgate step system, tailgate track system, tailgate tip system, split tailgate system, horizontal split tailgate system and combinations thereof. Preferably, in combination with improved accessability and functionality features including, but not limited to, step-up surfaces, lighting, power sources, independently articulatable doors, etc. and any combinations thereof.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.